Chapter 20: A Battle of Wils

The Lawrence estate loomed before Jane like a prison as the carriage rolled to a stop. Her heart pounded violently in her chest as she gripped the folds of her dress, forcing herself to breathe. This was her choice. She had to do this.

For her father.

The footman opened the door, and Jane hesitated, her body trembling. How ironic it was that she had spent so long dreaming of escaping this wretched place with Jack—only to be dragged back into its suffocating walls.

She stepped out of the carriage, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her.

At the top of the grand staircase stood Margaret Lawrence, dressed in a dark velvet gown that matched the coldness in her heart. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile as her eyes settled on Jane.

"Ah," Margaret said with cruel amusement. "So, you finally came to your senses."

Jane swallowed the lump in her throat and lifted her chin. "I came for my father."

Margaret's smile didn't waver. "Of course. But don't forget why we allowed it. You are to stay away from Jack. Permanently."

Jane's fists curled at her sides. "And if I don't?"

Margaret descended the stairs, each step echoing through the grand foyer like a death toll. She stopped just before Jane, her cold eyes narrowing.

"Then I will personally ensure your father never sees another day of peace."

Jane's breath hitched.

She felt her strength crumbling beneath the weight of Margaret's threat.

Her father was the only family she had left. If something happened to him...

Tears burned in her eyes as she lowered her head. "...Yes," she whispered.

Margaret's smile widened in triumph. She clapped her hands lightly. "Good girl. Now, back to your duties. I won't have a lazy maid sulking about."

Humiliation burned in Jane's chest, but she said nothing.

With her head bowed and her heart breaking, she turned and walked toward the servants' quarters.

Her nightmare had begun again.

---

Jack's Breaking Point

In a dimly lit tavern on the outskirts of town, Jack sat in the shadows, gripping a glass of whiskey so tightly it was a miracle it hadn't shattered.

His world had fallen apart in a single day.

Jane was gone.

His mother had manipulated her.

And Olivia...

He clenched his jaw at the mere thought of her.

The woman who had destroyed everything.

"Another drink?" the bartender asked cautiously.

Jack pushed the glass forward. "Keep them coming."

The alcohol burned his throat, but it did little to numb the ache in his chest.

How could he have let this happen?

He had sworn to protect Jane, to fight for her. Yet, in the end, he had been powerless against his mother's cruel schemes.

A shadow fell over the table.

"Well, well," came Olivia's sickeningly sweet voice. "Drowning your sorrows, I see?"

Jack closed his eyes, his patience hanging by a thread. "Leave."

Olivia slid into the seat across from him, crossing her legs with practiced elegance. "Oh, but we have so much to talk about."

Jack slammed his glass onto the table. "I said leave."

Olivia's smile never faltered. "You know, Jack, I could make all of this easier for you."

Jack let out a bitter laugh. "Let me guess. By marrying you?"

She leaned in closer. "You always were sharp."

Jack's laughter faded as anger surged through him.

"I would rather die than marry you."

Olivia's eyes darkened with fury. "You think you can fight this? Your mother controls everything. You can't win."

Jack stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the wooden floor.

"Go to hell, Olivia."

And with that, he stormed out into the cold night air, leaving Olivia seething in his wake.

---

A Night of Suffering

Back at the Lawrence estate, Jane lay curled up on her tiny cot in the servants' quarters, staring blankly at the cracked ceiling.

Sleep refused to come.

Her father had been moved to a guest room and promised proper medical care, but Jane couldn't shake the fear that Margaret would go back on her word.

And Jack...

Her heart twisted painfully at the thought of him.

Would he hate her for giving in?

Would he think she never loved him enough to fight?

"Jane?"

She turned her head to see Susan, the head maid, standing at the doorway.

"Are you alright, dear?"

Jane forced a smile. "I'm fine."

Susan stepped closer, her eyes filled with sympathy. "We all heard what happened. Jack... he's heartbroken."

Jane's throat tightened. "I know."

Susan hesitated. "You're doing this for your father, aren't you?"

Jane nodded, tears threatening to spill.

Susan sighed. "Jack loves you. He won't give up on you."

"I need him to," Jane whispered. "For his sake."

But deep down...

She didn't want him to.

---

Jack's Determination

Jack stood outside the iron gates of the Lawrence estate, his heart pounding with rage and desperation.

He had spent the entire night wandering the empty streets, haunted by the image of Jane being dragged back into this hell.

She was in there.

Trapped.

And he was done being powerless.

Jack Lawrence was not the kind of man to accept defeat.

His mother thought she had won.

She thought she could tear them apart.

But Jack had something Margaret would never understand.

Love.

Fierce. Unyielding.

And he would fight for Jane, no matter the cost.

With renewed determination, he stepped forward, gripping the iron bars of the gate.

"Jane," he murmured. "I'm coming for you."